Curved display module and display apparatus having the same

ABSTRACT

A curved display module includes a curved display panel curved with a first curvature in a first direction. A plurality of flexible circuit films are connected to a side portion of the curved display panel. A plurality of driving chips are each mounted on the flexible circuit films. A printed circuit board is connected to the flexible circuit films and is curved with a second curvature in the first direction. Two sides parallel to each other of each of the flexible circuit films are in direct contact with the curved display panel at first and second contact points, respectively, and are in direct contact with the printed circuit board at third and fourth contact points, respectively. A distance between the first and third contact points is different from a distance between the second and fourth contact points.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This U.S. non-provisional patent application claims priority under 35U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0174914, filed onDec. 19, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a curveddisplay module, and more particularly to a display apparatus having thesame.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

A flat panel display apparatus may include a substrate and a displaypart disposed on the substrate. The flat panel display apparatus mayinclude a glass substrate. A flexible display apparatus may include aflexible plastic material, and thus the flexible display apparatus maybe bendable or foldable.

As an example, a curved display apparatus having a curved shape may givea sense of depth to a screen at which a user is looking. When the curveddisplay apparatus is curved concavely relative to an observer, an imagedistortion caused by a viewing angle may be relatively small.

Similar to the flat panel display apparatus, the curved displayapparatus may include a display panel, a printed circuit board, and asemiconductor chip package provided in a chip-on-film form to connectthe display panel and the printed circuit board. The semiconductor chippackage may include a flexible circuit film and a driving chip mountedon the flexible circuit film.

The printed circuit board may be disposed on a rear surface of areceiving member that accommodates the display panel, and in this case,stresses applied to both ends of the flexible circuit film may becomedifferent from each other due to a difference in curvature between thedisplay panel and the printed circuit board. A phenomenon in which thedriving chip mounted on the flexible circuit film is tilted may occurdue to the difference in stress.

SUMMARY

An exemplary embodiment of the present inventors provides a curveddisplay module capable of preventing assembling characteristics fromdeteriorating due to a tilting phenomenon of a driving chip mounted on aflexible circuit film.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a curveddisplay apparatus including the curved display module.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a curved displaymodule includes a curved display panel, a plurality of flexible circuitfilms, a plurality of driving chips, and a printed circuit board. Thecurved display panel is curved with a first curvature in a firstdirection. The plurality of flexible circuit films are connected to aside portion of the curved display panel. The plurality of driving chipsare each mounted on the flexible circuit films. The printed circuitboard is connected to the flexible circuit films and is curved with asecond curvature in the first direction.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, two sides parallelto each other of each of the flexible circuit films are in directcontact with, the curved display panel at first and second contactpoints, respectively, and are in direct contact with the printed circuitboard at third and fourth contact points, respectively. A distancebetween the first and third contact points is different from a distancebetween the second and fourth contact points.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a virtual linepassing through a center point of each of the driving chips in along-axis direction of each of the driving chips is substantiallyparallel to a tangent at a contact point at which a normal lineperpendicular to the virtual line at the center point meets the curveddisplay panel.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the curved displaypanel is substantially parallel to a second direction crossing the firstdirection, and when the flexible circuit films are flattened parallel toa flat surface defined by the first direction and the second direction,an angle between a virtual line passing through each of the drivingchips in the long-axis direction and a virtual line passing through eachof the driving chips in the first direction is greater than 0degrees andsmaller than 90 degrees.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the angle increasesas a distance from a reference line passing through a center of thecurved display panel and parallel to the second direction increases mthe first direction.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, among the flexiblecircuit films, a first flexible circuit film is disposed at a first sidewith respect to the reference line, and a second flexible circuit filmis disposed at a second side opposite to the first side with respect tothe reference line. When the flexible circuit films are flattenedparallel to the flat surface defined by the first direction and thesecond direction, a first driving chip mounted on the first flexiblecircuit film among the driving chips is inclined at a first angle withrespect to the first direction, and a second driving chip mounted on thesecond flexible circuit film among the driving chips is inclined with asecond angle with respect to the first direction.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first angle isdefined by an angle between a first virtual line passing through thefirst driving chip in the long-axis direction and a second virtual linepassing through the first driving chip in the first direction, and thesecond angle is defined by an angle between a third virtual line passingthrough the second driving chip in the long-axis direction and a fourthvirtual line passing through the fourth driving chip in the firstdirection. Each of the first and second angles is greater than 0 degreesand smaller than 90degrees.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first andsecond driving chips are tilted symmetrically to each other with respectto the reference line, and the first and second driving chips spacedapart from the reference line by a same distance are tilted with a sameangle.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the printed circuitboard includes a first printed circuit board connected to the firstflexible circuit film, a second printed circuit board connected to thesecond flexible circuit film. The first printed circuit board isdisposed at the first side with respect to the reference line, and thesecond printed circuit board is disposed at the second side opposite tothe first side with respect to the reference line.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a curved displayapparatus includes a curved display panel, a first receiving member, aplurality of flexible circuit films, a plurality of driving chips, and aprinted circuit board. The curved display panel is curved with a firstcurvature in a first direction. The first receiving member accommodatesthe curved display panel. The plurality of flexible circuit films areconnected to a side portion of the curved display panel. The pluralityof driving chips are each mounted on the flexible circuit films. Theprinted circuit board is connected to the flexible circuit films andcurved with a second curvature in the first direction.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, two sides parallelto each other of each of the flexible circuit films are in directcontact with the curved display panel at first and second contactpoints, respectively, and are in direct contact with the printed circuitboard at third and fourth contact points, respectively. A distancebetween the first and third contact points is different from a distancebetween the second and fourth contact points.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a virtual linepassing through a center point of each of the driving chips in along-axis direction of each of the driving chips is substantiallyparallel to a tangent at a contact point at which a normal linesubstantially perpendicular to the virtual line at the center pointmeets the curved display panel.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the curved displaypanel is substantially parallel to a second direction crossing the firstdirection, and when the flexible circuit films are flattened parallel toa flat surface defined by the first direction and the second direction,an angle between a virtual line passing through each of the drivingchips in the long-axis direction and a virtual line passing through eachof the driving chips in the first direction is greater than 0degrees andsmaller than 90 degrees.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the printed circuitboard is disposed on a rear surface of the first receiving member alonga curved side of the curved display panel

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first receivingmember includes a bottom portion having a rectangular shape, curved inthe first direction, and parallel to the second direction and sidewallportions extending upward from side surfaces of the bottom portion. Thecurved display panel is accommodated in a space defined by the bottomportion and the sidewall portions, and the flexible circuit films arebent along an outer side surface of a sidewall portion adjacent to theside portion of the curved display panel among the sidewall portions.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an upper surface ofthe curved display panel includes a display area displaying an image anda non-display area surrounding the display area, and the curved displayapparatus includes a third receiving member that covers the non-displayarea of the curved display panel.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the third receivingmember includes a front surface cover portion substantially covering thenon-display area and a side surface cover portion extending from thefront surface cover portion and disposed to surround the sidewallportions of the first receiving member.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the third receivingmember includes a metal material, the driving chips mounted on theflexible circuit films are disposed between an outer side surface of thesidewall portion and the side surface cover portion, and an inner sidesurface of the side surface cover portion directly makes contact with anupper surface of the driving chips.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a display moduleincludes a curved display panel, a plurality of flexible circuit films,a printed circuit board, and a plurality of driving chips. The curveddisplay panel is curved along a first direction and having a relativelylonger dimension and a relatively shorter dimension. The plurality offlexible circuit films are connected to the curved display panel. Theprinted circuit board is connected to the flexible circuit films. Theplurality of driving chips are each disposed on a flexible circuit filmof the flexible circuit films. A reference driving chip of the drivingchips aligned with a center of the relatively longer dimension of thecurved display panel is substantially parallel with the first direction.A first driving chip of the driving chips spaced apart from the centerof the relatively longer dimension of the curved display panel is tiltedwith respect to the first direction. A second driving chip of thedriving chips spaced apart from the center of the relatively longerdimension of the curved display panel in a direction different from thatof the first driving chip is tilted with respect to the first directionat an angle different from that of the first driving chip.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the driving chipsmay be previously tilted in anticipation of the stress caused by thecurvature difference between the printed circuit board and the curveddisplay panel before the driving chips are mounted on the flexiblecircuit films. Accordingly, when the stress is applied after theassembling, the driving chips may be aligned along the circumferentialdirection of the curved display panel, and as a result, an occurrence ofdefects in the curved display module may be reduced or eliminated. Thus,manufacturing costs may be reduced, and manufacturing yield may beincreased.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the driving chipsare aligned along the circumferential direction of the curved displaypanel. As a result, a contact force between the driving chips and thethird receiving member (i.e., a top chassis) may be enhanced, and thusheat discharge efficiency of the driving chips may be increased throughthe top chassis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features of the present invention will become moreapparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a curved display module according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a curved display module before flexiblecircuit films are bent;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the curved display module of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a curved display module before a printedcircuit board is attached to the curved display module according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a curved display module after a printed circuitboard is attached to the carved display module according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6A illustrates a first inclination angle and a third angle of afirst driving chip according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6B illustrates a second inclination angle and a third angle of asecond driving chip according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a curved display module according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a curved display module before a printedcircuit board is attached to the curved display module according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a side view of a curved display module after a printed circuitboard is attached to the curved display module according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a curved display apparatus according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the curved display apparatus takenalong a line I-I′ of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described belowin more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In thisregard, the exemplary embodiments may have different forms and shouldnot be construed as being limited to the exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention described herein.

Like reference numerals may refer to like elements throughout thespecification and drawings. Sizes of elements in the drawings may beexaggerated for clarity of description.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, itmay be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or layeror intervening elements or layers may be present.

It will be understood that although, the terms “first” and “second” maybe used herein to describe various components, these components shouldnot be limited by these terms.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a curved display module according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a curved display module 100 may include a curveddisplay panel 110, a plurality of flexible circuit films 121, 122, and123, a plurality of driving chips 131, 132, and 133, and a printedcircuit board 140.

The curved display panel 110 may have a shape curved along a firstdirection DR1 with a first curvature. The curved display panel 110 mayhave a side substantially parallel to a second direction DR2perpendicular to the first direction DR1. For example, the curveddisplay panel 110 may have a shape convexly curved downward with respectto a flat surface (e.g., a flat plane) defined by the first directionDR1 and the second direction DR2.

In a case that the carved display panel 110 is flat (e.g., is flattened,such as from the downward convex shape described above), the curveddisplay panel 110 may have a substantially rectangular shape with tworelatively longer sides (e.g., extending in the first direction DR1) toface each other and two relatively shorter sides (e.g., extending in thesecond direction DR2) from both ends of the relatively longer sides toface each other. However, a directional orientation of the curveddisplay panel 110 is not limited to a specific directional orientationand, for example, the relatively shorter side of the -curved displaypanel 110 may extend m the first direction DR1. When a predeterminedforce is applied to the curved display panel 110 (e.g., when the curveddisplay panel 110 is in a flat state), the curved display panel 110 maybe curved with the first curvature with respect to the first directionDR1. The curved display panel 110 may be permanently fixed in a bent orcurved state, or may remain bendable. For example, the curved displaypanel 110 may be bent into the shape convexly curved downward describedabove or may he bent into a shape convexly curved upward.

The curved display panel 110 may include a plurality of pixels. Theplurality of pixels may display an image. The pixels may be connected toa plurality of gate lines extending in the first direction DR1 and aplurality of data lines extending in the second direction DR2. However,an extending direction of the gate lines or the data lines is notlimited to a particular extending direction (e.g., the gate lines mayextend in the second direction DR2). The pixels may receive datavoltages through the data lines in response to gate signals appliedthereto through the gate lines and display grayscales corresponding tothe data voltages.

Each pixel may display a primary color. The primary colors may includered, green, and blue colors, but exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention are not limited thereto or thereby. For example, the primarycolors may further include various colors, e.g., a white color, a yellowcolor, a cyan color, or a magenta color.

The curved display panel 110 may be a liquid crystal display panelincluding a liquid crystal layer. As an example, the curved displaypanel 110 may include a first substrate 111 on which the pixels arearranged, a second substrate 112 facing the first substrate 111, and theliquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate 111 and thesecond substrate 112. However, according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention, the curved display panel 110 may be anelectrowetting display panel including an electrowetting layer, anelectrophoretic display panel including an electrophoretic layer, or anorganic light emitting display panel including an organic lightemitting; diodes.

The first substrate 111 may have a wider width in at least one directionthan the second substrate 112 disposed on the first substrate 1 11.Thus, at least a portion of an upper surface of the first substrate 111may be exposed on at least one side of the first substrate. Flexiblecircuit films (e.g., 121, 122 and 123) described below in more detailmay be connected to the exposed upper surface of the first substrate111.

Each of the flexible circuit films 121, 122, and 123 may include aflexible material. Each of the flexible circuit films 121, 122, and 123may extend in at least one direction. The flexible circuit films 121,122, and 123 may be connected to a side of the curved display panel 110and may be arranged in the first direction DR1. Each of the flexiblecircuit films 121, 122, and 123 may be spaced apart from each other(e.g., along the first direction), and thus there may be spaces betweenadjacent flexible circuit films of the flexible circuit films 121, 122,and 123. Each of the flexible circuit films 121, 122, and 123 mayinclude a first end connected to the curved display panel 110 and asecond end connected to the printed circuit board 140.

The driving chips 131, 132, and 133 may each be respectively mounted onone of the flexible circuit films 121, 122, and 123. For example, eachof the driving chips 131, 132, and 133 may be substantially centeredbetween the first and second ends of a corresponding flexible circuitfilm, of the flexible circuit films 121, 122, and 123 (e.g., along avertical direction perpendicular to the first and second direction DR1and DR2).

The printed circuit board 140 may be connected to the second ends of theflexible circuit films 121, 122, and 123. The printed circuit board 140may apply control signals and image signals to each of the driving chips131, 132, and 133. As an example, the driving chips 131, 132, and 133may be data driving chips that generate data voltages. The data drivingchips may receive the control signals and the image signals from theprinted circuit board 140 to generate the data voltages. The datavoltages may be provided to the curved display panel 110 through thefirst ends of the flexible circuit films 121, 122, and 123 and appliedto the pixels through the above-described data lines.

A gate driver may be disposed at a side of the first substrate 111 withrespect to the first direction DR1. The gate driver may generate thegate signals, and the gate signals may be applied to the pixels throughthe above-mentioned gate lines. The gate driver may be substantiallysimultaneously formed with transistors of the pixels and mounted on thefirst substrate 111 in an amorphous silicon TFT gate driver circuit(ASG) form or an oxide silicon TFT gate driver circuit (OSG) form.

The printed circuit board 140 may include a controller and a sourcevoltage generator, which are mounted thereon. Accordingly, a controlsignal generated by the controller and a driving voltage output from thesource voltage generator may be applied to the driving chips 131, 132,and 133 through the flexible circuit films 121, 122, and 123.

The printed circuit board 140 may be connected to the second end of theflexible circuit films 121, 122, and 123 and may be curved with a secondcurvature smaller than the first curvature along the first directionDR1. As an example, the flexible circuit films 121, 122, and 123 havingflexibility may be bent, and the printed circuit board 140 connected tothe flexible circuit films 121, 122, and 123 may be disposed under thecurved display panel 110.

A receiving member that accommodates the curved, display panel 110and/or a backlight unit that provides a light to the curved displaypanel 110 may be disposed between the printed circuit board 140 and thecurved display panel 110. Accordingly, the printed circuit board 140 maybe spaced apart from the curved display panel 110 by a predetermineddistance without being immediately adjacent to a lower surface of thecurved display panel 110 )e.g., the backlight unit may be disposedbetween the printed circuit board 140 and the curved display panel 110).

The curved display panel 110 has the first curvature, and the printedcircuit board 140 has the second curvature. Since the printed circuitboard 140 is disposed outside the curved display panel 110 by adistance, a radius of curvature of the printed circuit board 140 may begreater than a radius of curvature of the curved display panel 110.Accordingly, the second curvature may be smaller than the firstcurvature.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a curved display module before flexiblecircuit films are bent FIG. 3 is a plan view of the curved displaymodule of FIG. 2.

The printed circuit board 140 is shown separate from the flexiblecircuit films 121, 122, and 123 in FIGS. 2 and 3 for clarity ofdescription.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, when the flexible circuit films 121, 122,and 123 are flat parallel to the flat surface defined by the firstdirection DR1 and the second direction DR2, the flexible circuit films121, 122, and 123 may extend in the second direction DR2 and may bearranged in the first direction DR1. For example, the extensiondirection of the flexible circuit films 121, 122, and 123 may beentirely parallel with the second direction DR2 when the flexiblecircuit films 121, 122, and 123 are flat parallel to the flat surfacedefined by the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2.

In at least one driving chip among the driving chips 131, 132, and 133respectively mounted on the flexible circuit films 121, 122, and 123, anangle between a virtual line passing through the driving chip in along-axis direction (e.g., a direction extending along a relativelylonger dimension of a respective driving chip) of the driving chip and avirtual line passing through the driving chip in the first direction DR1may be greater than 0 degrees and smaller than about 90 degrees. Thus,some of the driving chips 131, 132, and 133 respectively mounted on theflexible circuit films 121, 122, and 123 may be angled or tilted withrespect to a relatively longer dimension of the curved display panel 110(e.g., with respect to a side of the curved display panel 110 in a flatstate and extending along the first direction DR1). Thus, when thecurved display panel 110 is in a curved state, each of the driving chips(e.g., 131, 132 and 133) may be parallel with a curved extendingdirection of the curved display panel 110. As a result, a physicalstress applied to the driving chips (e.g., 131, 132 and 133) may bereduced, an occurrence of defects in the curved display module 100 maybe reduced, and manufacturing yield may be increased.

The angle between the long-axis direction of the driving chips 131, 132,and 133 and the first direction DR1 may be changed depending onpositions at which the flexible circuit films 121, 122, and 123 areattached to the curved display panel 110. The angle may increase as adistance from a reference line RL passing through a center axis of thecurved display panel 110 increases in the first direction DR1. Thus,outermost, chips among the driving chips (e.g., 131, 132 and 133) mayhave a greater angle with respect to the first direction DR1 when thecurved display panel 110 is in a flat state.

As an example, one driving chip among the driving chips 131, 132, and133 may be disposed on the reference line RL. The driving chip disposedon the reference line RL may be referred to as a “reference drivingchip” 131. The long-axis direction of the reference driving chip 131 maybe substantially parallel to the first direction DR1. A center of thereference driving chip 131 in the first direction DR1 may besubstantially aligned with, the reference line RL. Thus, the referencedriving chip 131 might not be tilted or angled with respect to the firstdirection DR1.

The driving chip disposed at a side (e.g., a right side) with respect tothe reference line RL among the driving chips 131, 132, and 133 may bereferred to as a “first driving chip” 32, and the driving chip disposedat another side (e.g., a left side) with respective to the referenceline RL among the driving chips 131,132, and 133 may be referred to as a“second driving chip” 133.

An angle (which may be referred to as a “first inclination angle θ1”)between a first virtual line VL1 passing through the first driving chip132 in the long-axis direction of the first driving chip 132 and asecond virtual line VL2 passing through the first driving chip 132 inthe first direction DR1 may be greater than 0 degrees. The first drivingchip 132 may be inclined in a third direction DR3 with respect to thefirst direction DR1. The first driving chip 132 may include two or morefirst driving chips 132. In this case, the first inclination angle θ1 ofthe first driving chip 132 may increase as the first driving chip 132 isdisposed farther from the reference line RL.

The second driving chip 133 may be disposed at an opposite side of thefirst, driving chip 132 with respect to the reference line RL andinclined m a fourth direction DR4 substantially perpendicular to thethird direction DR3. An angle (which may be referred to as a “secondinclination angle θ2”) between a third virtual line VL3 passing throughthe second driving chip 133 in the long-axis direction of the seconddriving chip 133 and the second virtual line VL2 passing through thesecond driving chip 133 in the first direction DR1 may be greater than 0degrees. The second driving chip 133 may include two or more seconddriving chips 133. In this case, the second inclination angle θ2 of thesecond driving chip 133 may increase as the second driving chip 133 isdisposed farther from the reference line RL.

As an example, the first and second driving chips 132 and 133 may bearranged to be symmetrical with each other with respect to the referenceline RL. For example, the first and second driving chips 132 and 133,which are arranged on the second virtual line VL2 and spaced apart fromthe reference line RL by the same distance, may be inclinedsymmetrically with each other with respect to the reference line RL.Accordingly, the first and second inclination angles θ1 and θ2 of thefirst and second driving chips 132 and 133, which are arranged on thesecond virtual line VL2 and spaced apart from the reference line RL bysubstantially the same distance, may be substantially the same as eachother.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a curved display module before a printedcircuit board is attached to the curved display module according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a side view ofa curved display module after a printed circuit board is attached to thecurved display module according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 6A illustrates a first inclination angle and athird angle of a first driving chip according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention. FIG. 6B illustrates a second inclination angleand a third angle of a second driving chip according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6A illustrates the firstinclination angle θ1 and a third angle θ3 of the first driving chip 132,and FIG. 6B illustrates the second inclination angle θ2 and the thirdangle θ3 of the second driving chip 133.

FIG. 4 illustrates a structure of the flexible circuit films 121, 122,and 123 when the printed circuit board 140 is not attached to theflexible circuit films 121, 122, and 123. Two sides 121 a, 121 b, 122 a,122 b, 123 a, and 123 b, which are parallel to each other, of each ofthe flexible circuit films 121, 122, and 123 may be in direct contactwith the curved display panel 110 at two contact points P1 and P2. Afirst side 121 a, 122 a, and 123 a of the two sides may be substantiallyparallel to a radial direction (e.g., illustrated as a dashed lineending in an arrow in FIG. 4) of the curved display panel 110 at a firstcontact point P1, and a second side 121 b, 122 b, and 123 b of the twosides may be substantially parallel to the radial direction of thecurved display panel 110 at a second contact point P2. The radialdirection at the first contact point P1 corresponds to a lineardirection vertically passing through the first contact point P1, and theradial direction at the second contact point P2 corresponds to a lineardirection vertically passing through the second contact point P2.

Referring to FIG. 5, the printed circuit board 140 may be attached tothe flexible circuit films 121, 122, and 123. The two sides 121 a, 121b, 122 a, 122 b, 123 a, and 123 b, which are parallel to each other, ofeach of the flexible circuit films 121, 122, and 123 may be in directcontact with the printed circuit board 140 at two contact points P3 andP4.

A stress, which is caused by the difference in curvature between thecurved display panel 110 and the printed circuit board 140, may beapplied to the flexible circuit films 121, 122, and 123. The stressmight not be applied to a reference flexible circuit film 121 on whichthe reference driving chip 131 is mounted, but applied to the flexiblecircuit films 122 and 123 on which the first and second driving chips132 and 133 are respectively mounted. The stress may occur when adisplay module including the flexible circuit films 121, 122, and 123 isin a bent state. The flexible circuit film on which the first drivingchip 132 is mounted may be referred to as a “first flexible circuitfilm” 122, and the flexible circuit film on which the second drivingchip 133 is mounted may be referred to as a “second flexible circuitfilm” 123. Due to the stress, the first and second sides 122 a and 122 bof the first flexible circuit film 122 might not be parallel to thenormal line direction and may be inclined at a predetermined angle(which may be referred to as the “third angle θ3”) with respect to thenormal line direction (e.g., along normal line PL). Accordingly, alength of the first and second sides 122 a and 122 b before the flexiblecircuit film 122 is assembled to the printed circuit board 140 becomesdifferent from a length of the first and second sides 122 a and 122 bafter the flexible circuit film 122 is assembled, to the printed circuitboard 140 due to the stress. In addition, since the first side 122 a isdisposed, farther from the reference line RL than the second side 122 b,the first side 122 a may be more stressed than the second side 122 b,and thus the variation of the first side 122 a may be greater than thevariation of the second side 122 b.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6A, a contact point at which the first side 122a of the first flexible circuit films 122 is in direct contact with theprinted circuit board 140 may be referred to as a “third contact point”P3, and a contact point at which a normal line PL vertically passingthrough the first contact point P1 makes contact with the printedcircuit board 140 may be be referred to as a “fifth contact point” P5. Afirst separation distance δ1 may exist between the third and fifthcontact points P3 and P5. The variation of the first side 122 a may bedefined by a value obtained by subtracting a distance between the firstcontact point P1 and the third contact point P3 from a distance betweenthe first contact point P1 and the fifth contact point P5.

In addition, a contact point at which the second side 122 b of the firstflexible circuit films 122 is in direct contact with the printed circuitboard 140 may be referred to as a “fourth contact point” P4, and acontact point at which the normal line PL vertically passing through thesecond contact point P2 makes contact with the printed circuit board 140may be referred to as a “sixth contact point” P6. A second, separationdistance δ2 may exist between the fourth and sixth contact points P4 andP6. The variation of the second side 122 b may be defined by a valueobtained by subtracting a distance between the second contact point P2and the fourth contact point P4 from a distance between the secondcontact point P2 and the sixth contact point P6.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, due to thedifference in stress, the first separation distance δ1 may be differentfrom the second separation distance δ2. As an example, the firstseparation distance δ1 may be greater than the second separationdistance δ2. In addition, the variation of the first side 122 a maybecome different from the variation of the second side 122 b due to thedifference between the first and second separation distances δ1 and δ2.For example, since the first side 122 a is relatively more stressed thanthe second side 122 b, the first side 122 a may be more elongated thanthe second side 122 b. Accordingly, the length of the first side 122 abecomes different from the length of the second side 122 b. For example,after the assembling the curved display module 100, a distance betweenthe first, contact point P1 and the third contact point P3 becomesdifferent from a distance between the second contact point P2 and thefourth contact point P4.

As an example, the third angle θ3 may be defined by the followingEquation.

$\begin{matrix}{{\theta \; 3} = {\tan^{\sim 1}\frac{\delta \; 1}{T\; 1}}} & {Equation}\end{matrix}$

In Equation, T1 denotes a separation distance (which may be referred toas a “third separation distance”) between the first contact point P1 andthe fifth contact point P5. For example, the third angle θ3 may bedetermined by the first and third separation distances δ1 and T1.

The third angle θ3 may increase as a distance from the reference drivingchip 131 increases. When the third angle θ3 is relatively large thestress applied to the corresponding flexible circuit film may increasedue to the difference in curvature. Thus, an amount of stress applied toa flexible circuit film (e.g., 121, 122 or 123) and an amount of stressapplied to a driving chip (e.g., 131, 132 or 133) when the curveddisplay module 100 is in a bent state may be proportional to the thirdangle θ3.

When the stress caused by the difference in curvature between the curveddisplay panel 110 and the printed circuit board 140 is not applied(which may be referred to as an “unapplied state”), the first side 122 aof the first flexible circuit film 122 on which the first driving chip132 is mounted may be in direct contact with the printed circuit board140 at the fifth contact point P5. In addition, the second side 122 b ofthe first flexible circuit film 122 may be in direct contact with theprinted circuit board 140 at the sixth contact point P6 in the unappliedstate. For example, the distance between the first contact point P1 andthe fifth contact point P5 may be substantially equal to the distancebetween the second contact point P2 and the sixth contact point P6 inthe unapplied state. The unapplied state may exist, when the curveddisplay module 100 is in a flat state.

However, when the stress is actually applied (which may be referred toas an “applied state”), the first side 122 a of the first flexiblecircuit film 122 may be in direct contact with the printed circuit board140 at the third contact point P3. Accordingly, the length of the firstside 122 a may be lengthened by a difference between a length betweenthe first contact point P1 and the third contact point P3 and a lengthbetween the first contact point P1 and the fifth contact point P5. Theapplied state may exist when the curved display module 100 is in acurved state.

In addition, the second side 122 b of the first flexible circuit film122 may be in direct contact with the printed circuit board 140 at thefourth contact point P4 in the applied state. Accordingly, the length ofthe second side 122 b may be lengthened by a difference between a lengthbetween the second contact point P2 and the fourth contact point P4 anda length between the second contact point P2 and the sixth contact pointP6.

In this case, since the distance between the fifth contact point P5 andthe third contact point P3 may be different from the distance betweenthe fourth contact point P4 and the sixth contact point P6, the distancebetween the first contact point P1 and the third contact point P3 maybecome different from the distance between the second contact point P2and the fourth contact point P4 in the applied state.

In the unapplied state, the long-axis direction of the first drivingchip 132 may be inclined at a predetermined angle while passing throughthe normal line PL of the first contact point P1 without verticallypassing through the normal line PL of the first contact point P1.However, the stress is applied to the first driving chip 132 in theapplied state, and thus the long-axis direction of the first drivingchip 132 may change. As an example, the long-axis direction of the firstdriving chip 132 may vertically pass through the normal line PL of thefirst contact point P1 in the applied state.

The long-axis direction of the first driving chip 132 in the unappliedstate may be inclined at the first angle θ1 with respect to thelong-axis direction of the first driving chip 132 in the applied state.In this case, the first angle θ1 may be equal to the third angle θ3. Inthe case that the first angle θ1 is equal to the third angle θ3, thelong-axis direction of the first driving chip 132 may vertically passthrough the normal line PL of the first contact point P1 in the appliedstate.

When the stress caused by the difference in curvature between the curveddisplay panel 110 and the printed circuit board 140 is not applied, thefirst side 122 a of the first flexible circuit film 122 on which thefirst driving chip 132 is mounted may be in direct contact with theprinted circuit board 140 at the fifth contact point P5 (which may bereferred to as an “unapplied state”). However, when the stress isactually applied, the first side 122 a of the first flexible circuitfilm 122 may be in direct contact with the printed circuit board 140 atthe third contact point P3 (which may be referred to as an “appliedstate”).

After the printed circuit board 140 is attached to the flexible circuitfilms 121, 122, and 123, the first virtual line VL1 passing through acenter point CP1 of the first driving chip 132 in the long-axisdirection may be disposed to be substantially parallel to a tangent CL1at a contact point P7 at which a normal line NL1 substantiallyperpendicular to the first virtual line VL1 at the center point CP1meets the curved display panel 110,

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6B, in the unapplied state, the long-axisdirection of the second driving chip 133 may be inclined at apredetermined angle while passing through the normal line PL of thefirst contact point P1 without vertically passing through the normalline PL of the first contact point P1. However, when the stress isapplied to the second driving chip 133 in the applied state, thelong-axis direction of the second driving chip 133 may change.

The long-axis direction of the second driving chip 133 in the unappliedstate may be inclined at the second angle θ2 with respect to thelong-axis direction of the second driving chip 133 in the applied state.In this case, the second angle θ2 may be substantially equal to thethird angle θ3. In the case that the second angle θ2 is substantiallyequal to the third angle θ3, the long-axis direction of the seconddriving chip 133 may vertically pass through the normal line PL of thefirst contact point P1 in the applied state.

After the printed circuit board 140 is attached to the flexible circuitfilms 121, 122, and 123, the third virtual line VL3 passing through acenter point CP2 of the second driving chip 133 in the long-axisdirection may be disposed to be substantially parallel to a tangent CL2at a contact point P8 at which a normal line NL2 substantiallyperpendicular to the third virtual line VL3 at the center point CP2meets the curved display panel 110.

Accordingly, the reference driving chip 131, the first driving chips132, and the second driving chips 133 may be aligned to be substantiallyparallel to a circumferential direction of the curved display panel 110.Thus, when the curved display panel 110 is in a curved state, each ofthe driving chips (e.g., 131, 132 and 133) may be parallel with a curvedextending direction of the curved display panel 110. As a result, aphysical stress applied to the driving chips (e.g., 131, 132 and 133)may be reduced, an occurrence of defects in the curved display module100 may be reduced, and manufacturing yield may be increased.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a display modulemay include the curved display panel 110 curved along the firstdirection DR1 and having a relatively longer dimension and a relativelyshorter dimension. A plurality of flexible circuit films (e.g., flexiblecircuit films 121, 122 and 123) may be connected to the curved displaypanel 110. The printed circuit board (e,g., printed circuit board 140)may be connected to the flexible circuit films. A plurality of drivingchips may each be disposed on a flexible circuit film of the flexiblecircuit films. A first driving chip (e.g., driving chip 131) of thedriving chips aligned with a center (e.g., along the reference line RL)of the relatively longer dimension of the curved display panel 110 maybe substantially parallel with the first direction DR1. A second drivingchip (e.g., driving chip 132) of the driving chips spaced apart from thecenter of the relatively longer dimension of the curved display panel110 may be tilted with respect to the first direction DR1. A thirddriving chip (e.g., driving chip 133) of the driving chips spaced apartfrom the center of the relatively longer dimension of the curved displaypanel 110 by a greater distance than that of the second driving chip maybe tilted with respect to the first direction DR1 at a greater anglethan that of the second driving chip.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a curved display module according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7below, descriptions of components that are the same or substantially thesame as those described above may be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 7, a curved display module 101 may include firstflexible circuit films 122 on which first driving chips 132 arerespectively mounted and second flexible circuit films 123 on whichsecond driving chips 133 are respectively mounted. The curved displaymodule 101 may includes a first printed circuit board 141 connected tothe first flexible circuit films 122 and a second printed circuit board142 connected to the second flexible circuit films 123. Thus, the firstprinted circuit board 141 may be spaced apart from the second printedcircuit board 142 (e.g., along the first direction D1) and there may bea space between the flexible printed circuit films 122 connected to thefirst printed circuit board 141 and the flexible printed circuit films123 connected to the second printed circuit board 142.

As an example, the curved display module 100 may include one printedcircuit board 140, and the curved display module 101 described withreference to FIG. 7 may include two printed circuit boards 141 and 142.However, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limitedthereto. As an example, the curved display module may include a separateprinted circuit board for each flexible circuit film. Thus, the numberof flexible circuit films may be the same as the number of printedcircuit boards, and each printed circuit board may be connected with oneflexible circuit film.

Referring to FIG. 7, when the curved display module 101 includes twoprinted circuit boards 141 and 142, the reference flexible circuit film121 and the reference driving chip 131 described with reference to FIG.1 may be omitted. As another example, the curved display module mayfurther include a separate printed circuit board connected to thereference flexible circuit film 121.

The curved display panel 101 may be permanently fixed in a bent orcurved state, or may remain bendable. For example, the curved displaypanel 101 may be bent into the shape convexly curved downward describedabove or may be bent into a shape convexly curved upward.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a curved display module before a printedcircuit board is attached to the curved display module according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a side view ofa curved display module after a printed circuit board is attached to thecurved display module according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates the first and second flexible circuit films 122 and123 that are bent before the first and second printed circuit boards 141and 142 are attached to the first and second flexible circuit films 122and 123.

Two sides 122 a and 122 b, which are substantially parallel to eachother, of the first flexible circuit films 122 may be in direct contact,with the curved display panel 110 at first and second contact points P1and P2, respectively. A first side 122 a may be substantially parallelto a radial direction, of the curved display panel 110 at the firstcontact point P1, and a second side 122 b may be substantially parallelto the radial direction of the curved display panel 110 at the secondcontact point P2.

Two sides 123 a and 123 b, which are substantially parallel to eachother, of the second flexible circuit films 123 may be in direct contactwith the curved display panel 110 at the first and second contact pointsP1 and P2, respectively. A first side 123 a may be substantiallyparallel, to the radial direction of the curved display panel 110 at thefirst contact point P1, and a second side 123 b may be substantiallyparallel to rise radial direction of the curved display panel 110 at thesecond contact point P2.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the radialdirection at the first contact point P1 corresponds to a normal linedirection vertically passing through the first contact point P1, and theradial direction at the second contact point P2 corresponds to a normalline direction vertically passing through the second contact point P2.

Referring to FIG. 9, when the first printed circuit board 141 isattached to the first flexible circuit films 122, a stress may beapplied to the first flexible circuit films, 122 due to a difference incurvature between the curved display panel 110 and the first printedcircuit board 141. In addition, the stress may be applied to the firstdriving chip 132 mounted on the first flexible circuit film 122.Accordingly, the first side 122 a of She first flexible circuit films122 may be inclined at a third angle θ3 with respect to the normal linedirection.

Referring to FIG. 9, a contact point at which the first side 122 a ofthe first flexible circuit films 122 is In direct contact with the firstprinted circuit board 141 may be referred to as a third contact pointP3, and a contact point at which a normal line PL vertically passingthrough the first contact point P1 is in direct contact with the firstprinted circuit board 141 may be referred to as a fifth contact pointP5. A first separation distance δ1 exists between the third and fifthcontact points P3 and P5. A variation of the first side 122 a may bedefined by a value obtained by subtracting a distance between the firstcontact point P1 and the third contact point P3 from a distance betweenthe first contact point P1 and the fifth contact point P5.

In addition, a contact point at which the second side 122 b of the firstflexible circuit films 122 is in direct, contact with the first printedcircuit board 141 may be referred to as a “fourth contact, point” P4,and a contact point at which a normal line PL vertically passing throughthe second contact point P2 makes contact with the first printed circuitboard 141 will be referred to as a “sixth contact point” P6. A secondseparation distance δ2 exists between the fourth and sixth contactpoints P4 and P6. A variation of the second side 122 b may be defined bya value obtained by subtracting a distance between the second contactpoint P2 and the fourth contact point P4 from a distance between thesecond contact point P2 and the sixth contact point P6.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, due to thedifference in stress, the first separation distance ⊕1 may be differentfrom the second separation distance δ2. As an example, the firstseparation distance δ1 may be greater than the second separationdistance δ2. In addition, the variation of the first side 122 a becomedifferent from the variation of the second side 122 b due to thedifference between the first and second separation distances δ1 and Υ2.For example, since the first side 122 a may be relatively more stressedthan the second side 122 b, the first side 122 a may be more elongatedthan the second side 122 b. Accordingly, the length of the first side122 a becomes different from the length of the second side 122 b. Forexample, after assembling the curved display module 101, the distancebetween the first contact point P1 and the third contact point P3 maybecome different from the distance between the second contact point P2and the fourth contact point P4.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the first driving chip 132 may be inclinedat a predetermined angle without being perpendicular to the normal linePL in the stress-unapplied state. Then, when the first flexible circuitfilms 122 are connected to the first printed circuit board 141, stressmay be applied to the first driving chip 132, and as a result, along-axis direction LD1 of the first driving chip 132 may change. Forexample, an angle of the first driving chip 132 with respect to thecurved display panel 110 may change as the curved display panel 110 isbent or curved.

Accordingly, the long-axis direction LD1 of the first driving chip 132in the stress-unapplied state may be inclined at a first angle (e.g.,the first inclination angle θ1—see. e.g., FIG. 6A) with respect to thelong-axis direction LD1 of the first driving chip 132 in thestress-applied state. The first angle θ1 may be substantially equal tothe third angle θ3.

Referring to FIG. 9 again, when the second printed circuit board 142 isattached to the second flexible circuit films 123, stress may be appliedto the second flexible circuit films 123 due to a difference incurvature between the curved display panel 110 and the second printedcircuit board 142. In addition, stress may be applied to the seconddriving chip 133 mounted on the second flexible circuit film 123.Accordingly, the first side of the second flexible circuit films 123 maybe inclined at the third angle θ3 with respect to the normal linedirection.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, in the stress-unapplied state, the seconddriving chip 133 may be inclined at a predetermined angle with respectto the normal line PL without being perpendicular to the normal line PL.Then, when the second flexible circuit film 133 is connected to thesecond printed circuit board 142, stress may be applied to the seconddriving chip 133, and thus a long-axis direction LD2 of the seconddriving chip 133 may be changed.

Accordingly, the leap-axis direction LD2 of the second driving chip 133in the stress-unapplied state may be inclined at the second angle θ2(see, e.g., FIG. 6B) with respect to the long-axis direction LD2 of thesecond, driving chip 133 in the stress-applied state. In this case, thesecond angle θ2 may be substantially equal to the third angle θ3.

Therefore, when the first and second flexible circuit films 122 and 123are respectively connected to the first and second printed circuitboards 141 and 142, the first and second driving chips 132 and 133 maybe aligned along a circumferential direction of the curved display panel110.

Thus, the driving chips 132, and 133 respectively mounted on theflexible circuit films 122, and 123 may be angled or tilted with respectto a relatively longer dimension of the curved display panel 110 (e.g.,with respect to a side of the curved display panel 110 in a flat stateand extending along the first direction DR1). Thus, when the curveddisplay panel 110 is in a curved state (e.g., after the first and secondprinted circuit boards 141 and 142 are attached to the flexible circuitfilms 122, and 123, respectively) , each of the driving chips (e.g., 132and 133) may be parallel with a curved extending direction of the curveddisplay panel 110. As a result, a physical stress applied to the drivingchips (e.g., 132 and 133) may be reduced, an occurrence of defects inthe curved display module 101 may be reduced, and manufacturing yieldmay be increased.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, 6A, 6B. 8 and 9, the first and second drivingchips 132 and 133 may be tilted in advance m anticipation of a stresscaused by the difference in curvature (e.g., a difference in curvaturebetween tire curved display panel 110 and the printed circuit board 140or between the curved display panel 110 and the first and second printedcircuit boards 141 and 142). Accordingly, when stress is applied afterassembling a display module according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, the first and second driving chips 132 and 133 may bealigned along the circumferential direction of the curved display panel110, and as a result, an occurrence of defects in the curved displaymodule. 100 and 101 may be reduced or eliminated. Thus, manufacturingcosts may be reduced, and manufacturing yield may be increased.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a curved display apparatus according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is across-sectional view of the curved display apparatus taken along a lineI-I′ of FIG. 10.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, a curved display apparatus 500 may have ashape curved in the first direction DR1 and a side of the curved displayapparatus 500 may be parallel to the second direction DR2 crossing thefirst direction DR1.

The curved display apparatus 500 may include the curved display panel110, a backlight unit 200 generating a light and providing the light tothe curved display panel 110, and receiving members 310, 320, and 330accommodating the curved display panel 110 and the backlight unit 200.The backlight unit 200 may be disposed behind the curved display panel110 and may provide light to the curved display panel 110.

The curved display panel 110 may include a display area DA displaying animage and a non-display area NDA around the display area DA. Thenon-display area NDA may be disposed on four sides of the display areaDA in a plan view. Alternatively the non-display area NDA may bedisposed on fewer than four sides (e.g., on one side) of the displayarea DA in a plan view.

The curved display apparatus 500 may include first and second flexiblecircuit films 122 and 123 connected to the curved display panel 110 andfirst and second driving chips 132 and 133 respectively mounted on thefirst and second flexible circuit films 122 and 123. The curved displayapparatus 500 may include the first printed circuit board 141 connectedto the first flexible circuit film 122 and the second printed circuitboard 142 connected to the second flexible circuit film 123. The firstand second flexible circuit films 122 and 123, the first and seconddriving chips 132 and 133, and the first and second printed circuitboards 141 and 142 may have the same structure and function as thosedescribed above, and thus duplicative descriptions may be omitted below.

As an example, the backlight unit 200 may be an edge-type backlightunit; however, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are notlimited thereto. The backlight unit 200 may include an optical sheet240, a light guide plate 250, a light source 230, and a reflection sheet260. The optical sheet 240, the light guide plate 250, the light source230, and the reflection sheet 260 may be curved in the first directionDR1 and may have a side substantially parallel to the second directionDR2. For example, the optical sheet 240, the light guide plate 250, thelight source 230, and the reflection sheet 260 may be carved in thefirst direction DR1 to have substantially a same curved shape as thecurved display panel 110.

The light guide plate 250 may have a rectangular shape defined includingtwo relatively longer sides extending in the first direction DR1 to faceeach other in the second direction DR2 and two relatively shorter sidesextending in the second direction DR2 from both ends of the long sidesto face each other in the first direction DR1. However, exemplaryembodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto, and thelight guide plate 50 may have a different shape, or may have arectangular shape including relatively longer sides extending in thesecond direction DR2. The light source 230 may be disposed adjacent to afirst side of the light guide plate 250 in the second direction DR2. Thefirst and second printed, circuit boards 141 and 142 may be disposedadjacent to a (e.g., an opposite) second side of the light guide plate250 in the second direction DR2.

The first side of the light guide plate 250 in the second direction DR2may be one of the relatively longer sides of the light guide plate 50,and the second side of the light guide plate 250 in the second directionDR2 may be a second relatively longer side of the light guide plate 50.In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the light source230 may be disposed adjacent to the first side of the light guide plate250, but the position of the light source 230 is not limited thereto orthereby (e.g., the light source 230 may be adjacent to the second sideof the light guide plate 250. For example, the light source 230 may bedisposed adjacent to a relatively shorter side of two relatively shortersides of the light guide plate 250. As an example, the light source 230may be disposed adjacent to a side surface among side surfaces, to whichthe first and second printed circuit boards 141 and 142 are disposed notto be adjacent, of the light guide plate 250.

The reflection sheet 260 may be disposed under the light guide plate250, and the optical sheet 240 may be disposed on the light guide plate250. The curved display panel 110 may be disposed above the opticalsheet 240.

The light source 230 may generate light and may emit the light to thecurved display panel 110. The light generated by the light source 230may be provided to one side of the light guide plate 250 in the seconddirection DR2. The one side of the light guide plate 250 may be referredto as a light incident portion. The light guide plate 250 may change adirection in which the light provided from the light source 230 travelsto allow the light to travel in an upward direction where the curveddisplay panel 110 is disposed.

The light source 230 may include a light source substrate 210 curvedwith a first curvature in the first direction DR1 and a plurality oflight emitting diodes 220 mounted on the light source substrate 210. Thelight emitting diodes 220 may be arranged at regular intervals in thefirst direction DR1. The light emitting diodes 220 may be disposed toface one side surface of the light guide plate 250 in the seconddirection DR2. The light emitting diodes 220 may generate light, and thelight generated by the light emitting diodes 220 may be provided to theone side surface of the light guide plate 250.

The reflection sheet 260 may reflect light leaking downward from thelight guide plate 250 in an upward direction (e.g., opposite thedownward direction). The optical sheet 240 may include a diffusion sheetand a prism sheet disposed on the diffusion sheet. The diffusion sheetmay diffuse light provided from the light guide plate 250. The prismsheet may condense light diffused by the diffusion sheet in the upwarddirection substantially vertical (e.g., orthogonal to) with respect tothe flat surface defined by the first direction DR1 and the seconddirection DR2. The light exiting from the prism sheet may travel in theupward direction and may be provided to the curved display panel 110with a substantially uniform brightness distribution.

The receiving members 310, 320, and 330 may include a first receivingmember 310 accommodating the backlight unit 200 and the curved displaypanel 110, a second receiving member 320 supporting the curved displaypanel 110, and a third receiving member 330 covering the non-displayarea NDA of the curved display panel 110. As an example, the firstreceiving member 310, the second receiving member 320, and the thirdreceiving member 330 may be referred to as a bottom chassis, a moldframe, and a top chassis, respectively. The first, second, and thirdreceiving members 310, 320, and 330 may be carved with the firstcurvature at the first direction DR1 and may each include a sidesubstantially parallel to the second direction DR2.

The first receiving member 310 may include a bottom portion 311 curvedwith the first curvature in the first direction DR1 and substantiallyparallel to the second direction DR2 and sidewall portions 312 extendingupward from side surfaces of the bottom portion 311. The bottom portion311 may form a lower surface of the first receiving member 310, and thesidewall portions 312 may form side surfaces of the first receivingmember 310.

The bottom portion 311 may have a rectangular shape with, a relativelylonger side in the first direction DR1 and a relatively shorter side inthe second direction DR2. The bottom portion 311 may be convexly curveddownward with respect to the flat surface defined by the first directionDR1 and the second direction DR2. The backlight unit 200 and the curveddisplay panel 110 may be accommodated in a space defined by the bottomportion 311 and the sidewall portions 312.

The second receiving member 320 may be disposed between the curveddisplay panel 110 and the backlight unit 200 and may have a rectangularframe shape. The second receiving member 320 may be disposed tocorrespond to the non-display area NDA of the curved display panel 110and to support an edge portion of the curved display panel 110. The edgeportion of the curved display panel 110 may correspond to a border areaof the curved display panel 110, for example, a predetermined area ofthe non-display area NDA of the curved display panel 110. A firstopening OP1 may be defined through the second receiving member 320 toexpose the display area DA of the curved display panel 110.

The third receiving member 330 may have a rectangular frame shape, and asecond opening OP2 may be defined through the third receiving member 330to expose the display area DA of the curved display panel 110. The thirdreceiving member 330 may substantially cover the non-display area NDA ofthe curved display panel 110.

When the curved display apparatus 500 is assembled, the first and secondflexible circuit films 122 and 123 having flexibility may be bent, andthe first and second printed circuit boards 141 and 142 respectivelyconnected to the first and second flexible circuit films 122 and 123 maybe disposed under the curved display panel 110. The first and secondprinted circuit boards 141 and 142 may be disposed on a rear surface ofthe bottom portion 311 of the first receiving member 310. The curveddisplay apparatus 500 may be in a permanently curved or bent state ormay remain bendable.

Referring to FIG. 11, the backlight unit 200 and the curved displaypanel 110 may be accommodated in the first receiving member 310. Thereflection sheet 260, the light guide plate 250, the optical sheet 240,and the curved display panel 110 may be accommodated in the firstreceiving member 310.

The sidewall portions 312 of the first receiving member 310 may bedisposed to surround a border of the second receiving member 320. Thesecond receiving member 320 may include a first supporter 321 disposedon inner side surfaces of the side-wall portions 312 and a secondsupporter 322 extending from a predetermined area of an inner sidesurface of the first supporter 321 to be vertical with respect to thefirst supporter 321.

When the edge portion of the curved display panel 110 is disposed on thesecond supporter 322, the curved display panel 110 may be supported bythe second receiving member 320. For example, the first substrate 111may be disposed on the second supporter 322, and a side surface of thefirst, substrate 111 may be disposed above the second supporter 322 tobe adjacent to the inner side surface of the first supporter 321. As aresult, the curved display panel 110 may be guided by the firstsupporter 321, and the curved display panel 110 may be prevented frommoving (e,g., may be fixedly secured in a desired position).

A second substrate 112 of the curved display panel 110 may allow a lowersurface of the second substrate 112 to be aligned with an upper surfaceof the second receiving member 320 or may be disposed above the secondreceiving member 320. The first substrate 111 may extend longer than thesecond substrate 112 in the second direction DR2 (e.g., at one side ofthe second substrate 112). The first and second flexible circuit films122 and 123 may be connected to one side portion of the first substrate111, which, does not overlap with the second substrate 112.

The first and second flexible circuit films 122 and 123 may be bentalong the upper surface of the second receiving member 320 adjacent tothe sidewall portion 312 and an outer side surface of the sidewallportion 312 may be bent to a lower side of the bottom portion 311adjacent to the sidewall portion 312. When the first flexible circuitfilms 122 are bent, the first printed circuit board 141 connected to thefirst flexible circuit films 122 may be disposed below the bottomportion 311 of the first receiving member 310. When the second flexiblecircuit films 123 are bent, the second printed circuit board 143connected to the second flexible circuit films 123 may be disposed belowthe bottom portion 311 of the first receiving member 310.

The third receiving member 330 may include a front surface cover portion331 covering the non-display area NDA of the curved display panel 110and a side surface cover portion 332 extending from the front surfacecover portion 331 and disposed to at least partially surround thesidewall portions 312 of the first receiving member 310. As an example,the first and third receiving members 310 and 330 may each include ametal material.

When the first and second flexible circuit films 122 and 123 are bentalong the outer side surface of the sidewall portion 312, the first andsecond driving chips 132 and 133 respectively mounted on the first andsecond flexible circuit films 122 and 123 may be disposed between theouter side surface of the sidewall portion 312 and the side surfacecover portion 332. The inner side surface of the side surface coverportion 332 may directly make contact with the ripper surface of thefirst and second driving chips 122 and 123.

As described, the first and second driving chips 122 and 123 may bealigned along the circumferential direction of the curved display panel110 alter being assembled. Accordingly, the first and second drivingchips 122 and 123 may be prevented from being tilted beyond thecircumferential direction due to the stress caused by the curvaturedifference. As a result, a contact force between the first and seconddriving chips 122 and 123 and the third receiving member 330 (e.g., thetop chassis) may be increased, and thus heat discharge efficiency of thefirst and second driving chips 122 and 123 may be increased through thethird receiving member 330.

While the present invention has been shown and described with referenceto the exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and detail may bemade thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A curved display module comprising: a curveddisplay panel curved with a first curvature in a first direction; aplurality of flexible circuit films connected to a side portion of thecurved display panel; a plurality of driving chips each mounted on aflexible circuit film of the flexible circuit films; and a printedcircuit board connected to the plurality flexible circuit films andcurved with a second curvature in the first direction, wherein two sidesparallel to each other of each of the flexible circuit films are contactwith the curved display panel at first and second contact points,respectively, and are contact with the printed circuit board at thirdand fourth contact points, respectively, a distance between the firstand third contact points is different from a distance between the secondand fourth contact points, and a virtual line passing through a centerpoint of each of the driving chips in a long-axis direction of each ofthe driving chips is substantially parallel to a tangent at a contactpoint at which a normal line substantially perpendicular to the virtualline at the center point meets the curved display panel.
 2. The curveddisplay module of claim 1, wherein the curved display panel issubstantially parallel to a second direction crossing the firstdirection, and when the flexible circuit films are flattened parallel toa flat surface defined by the first direction and the second direction,an angle between a virtual line passing through each of the drivingchips in the long-axis direction and a virtual line passing through eachof the driving chips in the first direction is greater than about 0degrees and smaller than about 90 degrees.
 3. The curved display moduleof claim 2, wherein the angle increases as a distance from a referenceline passing through a center of the curved display panel and parallelto the second direction increases in the first direction.
 4. The curveddisplay module of claim 3, wherein a first flexible circuit film amongthe flexible circuit films is disposed at a first side with respect tothe reference line, a second flexible circuit film among the flexiblecircuit films is disposed at a second side opposite to the first sidewith respect to the reference line, and when the flexible circuit filmsare flattened parallel to the flat surface defined by the firstdirection and the second direction, a first driving chip mounted on thefirst flexible circuit film among the driving chips is inclined with afirst angle with respect to the first direction and a second drivingchip mounted on the second flexible circuit film among the driving chipsis inclined with a second angle with respect to the first direction. 5.The curved display module of claim 4, wherein the first angle is definedby an angle between a first virtual line passing through the firstdriving chip in the long-axis direction and a second virtual linepassing through the first driving chip in the first direction, thesecond angle is defined by an angle between a third virtual line passingthrough the second driving chip in the long-axis direction and a fourthvirtual line passing through the fourth driving chip in the firstdirection, and each of the first and second angles is greater than about0 degrees and smaller than about 90 degrees.
 6. The curved displaymodule of claim 4, wherein the first and second driving chips are tiltedsymmetrically to each other with respect to the reference line, and thefirst and second driving chips spaced apart from the reference line by asame distance are tilted with a same angle.
 7. The curved display moduleof claim 4, wherein the printed circuit board comprises: a first printedcircuit board connected to the first flexible circuit film; and a secondprinted circuit board connected to the second flexible circuit film. 8.The curved display module of claim 7, wherein the first printed circuitboard is disposed at the first side with respect to the reference line,and the second printed circuit board is disposed at the second sideopposite to the first side with respect to the reference line.
 9. Thecurved display module of claim 2, wherein, when a contact point at whicha first side of the flexible circuit film makes contact with the curveddisplay panel is referred to as a first contact point, an angle (θ) isequal to an angle between a normal line vertically passing through thefirst contact point and the first side of the flexible circuit film. 10.The curved display module of claim 9, wherein, when a contact point atwhich the first side makes contact with the printed circuit board isreferred to as a third contact point and a contact point at which thenormal line makes contact with the printed circuit board is referred toas a fifth contact point, the angle (θ) satisfies the following Equationof ${\theta = {\tan^{\sim 1}\frac{\delta \; 1}{T\; 1}}},$ whereinthe “δ1” denotes a separation distance between the third contact pointand the fifth contact point, and the “T1” denotes a separation distancebetween the first contact point and the fifth contact point.
 11. Thecurved display module of claim 1, wherein the second curvature issmaller than the first curvature.
 12. A curved display apparatuscomprising: a curved display panel curved with a first curvature in afirst direction; a first receiving member accommodating the curveddisplay panel; a plurality of flexible circuit films connected to a sideportion of the curved display panel; a plurality of driving chips eachmounted on a flexible circuit film of the flexible circuit films; and aprinted circuit board connected to the plurality of flexible circuitfilms and curved with a second curvature in the first direction, whereintwo sides parallel to each other of each of the flexible circuit filmsare contact with the curved display panel at first and second contactpoints, respectively, and are contact with the printed circuit board atthird and fourth contact points, respectively, a distance between thefirst and third contact points is different from a distance between thesecond and fourth contact points, and a virtual line passing through acenter point of each of the driving chips in a long-axis direction ofeach of the driving chips is substantially parallel to a tangent at acontact point at which a normal line substantially perpendicular to thevirtual line at the center point meets the curved display panel.
 13. Thecurved display apparatus of claim 12, wherein the curved display panelis substantially parallel to a second direction crossing the firstdirection, and when the flexible circuit films are flattened parallel toa flat surface defined by the first direction and the second direction,an angle between a virtual line passing through each of the drivingchips in the long-axis direction and a virtual line passing through eachof the driving chips in the first direction is greater than about 0degrees and smaller than about 90 degrees.
 14. The curved displayapparatus of claim 13, wherein the printed circuit board is disposed ona rear surface of the first receiving member along a curved side of thecurved display panel.
 15. The curved display apparatus of claim 14,wherein the first receiving member comprises: a bottom, portion having arectangular shape, curved in the first direction, and parallel to thesecond direction; and sidewall portions extending upward from sidesurfaces of the bottom portion, the curved display panel is accommodatedin a space defined by the bottom portion and the sidewall portions, andthe flexible circuit films are bent along an outer side surface of asidewall portion adjacent to the side portion of the curved displaypanel among the sidewall portions.
 16. The curved display apparatus ofclaim 15, further comprising: a backlight unit disposed under the curveddisplay panel, accommodated in the first receiving member; and a secondreceiving member supporting an edge portion of the curved display panel.17. The curved display apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a thirdreceiving member, wherein an upper surface of the curved display panelcomprises a display area displaying an image and a non-display areasurrounding the display area, and the third receiving membersubstantially covers the non-display area of the curved display panel.18. The curved display apparatus of claim 17, wherein the thirdreceiving member comprises: a front surface cover portion covering thenon-display area; and a side surface cover portion extending from thefront surface cover portion and disposed to surround the sidewallportions of the first receiving member.
 19. The curved display apparatusof claim 18, wherein the third receiving member comprises a metalmaterial, the driving chips mounted on the flexible circuit films aredisposed between an outer side surface of the sidewall portion and theside surface cover portion, and an inner side surface of the sidesurface cover portion directly makes contact with an upper surface ofthe driving chips.
 20. The curved display apparatus of claim 13, whereinthe angle increases as a distance from a reference line passing througha center of the curved display panel and parallel to the seconddirection increases in the first direction.
 21. A display module,comprising: a curved display panel curved along a first direction andhaving a relatively longer dimension and a relatively shorter dimension;a plurality of flexible circuit films connected to the curved displaypanel; a printed circuit board connected to the flexible circuit films;and a plurality of driving chips, wherein each of the driving chips isdisposed on a flexible circuit film of the flexible circuit films,wherein a reference driving chip of the driving chips aligned with acenter of the relatively longer dimension of the curved display panel issubstantially parallel with the first direction, wherein a first drivingchip of the driving chips spaced apart from the center of the relativelylonger dimension of the curved display panel is tilted with respect tothe first direction, and wherein a second driving chip of the drivingchips spaced apart from the center of the relatively longer dimension ofthe curved display panel in a direction different from that of the firstdriving chip is tilted with respect to the first direction at an angledifferent from that of the first driving chip.